San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-22

not say one word against her / viii
not even say that | could do so. She
was certainly the most beautiful, the
most fascinating woman | had ever
seen. She looked so young that IL was
almost impossible to believe that she
had been a wife and was widow; but
| knew afterwards that she was at least
ten years older than we thought her. |
will not describe her to you; you will
see her and judge for yourself.
Nellie continued Mark, there is
as great difference between you and
Lurline as between a simple natural
lily of the valley and gaudy artificial
camelia. / saw il afterwards; but at
first she took my senses captive, and
held them in thrall. | remember how
she puzzled me, how | watched her.
One of the first things that struck me
was the subtle Odor of sweet violets
that seemed TO envelope her. Every
thing belonging to her-her sables,
shawls, books, fans, glOves-everything
had the same sweet Odor of fresh vio-
lets. That charmed me. Oh, Nellie, /
was q rash. foolish coward, but never
thought of loving her, and | never
dreamed of marrying any one but you!
Every man on board was in love with
her; but she favored me, and / was
weak enough. young and foolish enough,
to be fiattered by this preference, to feel
proud and delighted when the little
court of admirers had to make way for
me, when she turned from them all
with smile for me, when she laid that
white-gemmed hand of hers on my arm,
dismissing the others with little nod
of the head, saying, Il will accompany
you, Lord Severne. | should like
quiet promenade
ut pleased me to mark hot, angry
jealousy in other mems eyes; it pleased
me to note how they envied every mark
of preference which this beautiful wom-
an showered on me. Still, Nellie, I
never dreamed of being false to you.
AT first was attracted by her great
beauty, her fascination, her low sweet
voice, her nameless charm of dress and
manner; then by her decided, open
preference for me, shown at all times
and in all places.
II never thought that rank, title, or
mo ey had anything to do with it; L
believed it was for myself alone that
she cared. All. Nellie, perhaps even a
stronger man than myself might have
succumbedl | shall never forget the
nights on the ocean, with the stars like
golden meteors in the sky, the sea dark,
silent, mysterious and solemn. Such
nights they were-the sea and sky so
calm, and the beautiful face looking in
to mine! All, Nellie, you taught me
love, and it will never die; she taught
me passion, and it is deadl
"There can be no excuse for me, Nell
lie-I offer none. But remember that
for the first time in my life | was fiat
tered by all the subtle batteries that
clever and beautiful woman could use.
The balance of my reason was gone.
She had reused passion that yet was not
love in my heart. was driven EDWARDS
by the anger of those whom she slight
ed for me; and one night-One fatal
night, when the moon was shining
brilliantly, and the sea was calm as a
lake--we stood together at the stern of
the vessel, hidden by the wheel-house.
Her hand stole into mine, her face was
raised to mine, pale with emotion, her
eyes glistening with tears. | forgot
you, Nellie; | forgot honor, truth, and
loyalty. | bent down to her, and
Well. cannot tell you how it happen
ed. am speaking the truth, Nellie. l
would not hide one thought from you.
/ feel sure that when bent my head to
kiss her | had no thought of asking her
to be my wife; but before another half
hour had passed, | had promised to
marry her, and-Nellie, love. listen
from that moment to this | have never
had one single happy mOment-nOt one.
There could be no drawing back-no
hesitation even, for | found the next
day that the whole of the passengers
knew that Lord Severne and the beauti-
full Mrs. Nugent were engaged.
weak, cowardly, diSlOyal-ah, yes,
| know | was all that! But have suf
fered horribly. From that hour to this
| have been miserable man, for |
found out that it was you | loved after
all, and that the love of the lad was bet
ter than the passion of the man. There
were times when resolved on telling
her, but it would have been useless.
She had decided on marrying me, and |
knew that my intentions were quite
secondary to hers. When it was TOO
late, my heart went back to its first al
legiance. l found my engagement to
this woman of the world a very busi-
nesS-like matter. There was no nom
sense, no delay. We were married
three weeks after the queen Of the Seas
reached London.
''Ah, Nellie, you have suffered, but
my pain has been greater! My con-
science gave me no rest. Night and day
your image was with me. night and day
my folly and cOwardiCe were ever be-
fore me. / lOnged. yet dreaded to see
you. If had known that your mother
was dead, and that you were waiting
for me in the old home alone, should
have gone to you, no matter what had
happened; but your letter did not reach
me-"
ut was returned to me, ;" interposed.
"As soon as my affairs were settled"
he continued, II went abroad. Lurline
preferred it. She said she never cared
to live in England; and, in truth, was
Indifferent on the subject, knowing
that no place could ever be the same to
me again. At MentOne we met the
YOTkes, and ! liked them very much.
was a miserable, haunted, gloomy man.
My wealth brought me no happiness,
because | had lost you. | found rest in
talking to Lady YOrke. She seemed to
think that | had some great sorrow in
my life. do not suppose | should
have returned to England. at least for
some years, had not imperative business
compelled me to go to Sev6rne Court
a few weeks ago. Oh, Nellie, there are
some disappOinments too bitter, too
great for wOrdsl | shall return to Italy;
l cannot live in England"
"Why?" | asked.
His face clOuded, an angry CLEAN
came into the eyes which had been full
of pain and despair.
II cannot tell you why, Nellie, but
my life is blighted. l cannot stay any
where for long"
"Shall you never live at Severne